Netanyahu Hinted at Syria Strike?

Prime Minister said Israel will take care of Middle East challenges that 'do not take time off,' in apparent hint at upcoming strike.

Gil Ronen, 07/12/14 20:27

Binyamin Netanyahu

Emil Salman/Flash90

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu appears to have hinted at the reported strike against targets in Syria, several hours before it occurred, in a comment he made at the start of Sunday morning's cabinet meeting, as cameras rolled.

"We are following with great alacrity the goings on in the Middle East,” Netanyahu said – “with alert ears and watchful eyes. And much is going on. We will remain with our finger on the pulse and we will take care of these challenges, which do not take time off.

“We will take care of them with the same responsibility with which we took care of them until now,” he added.

"The Israeli enemy attacked Syria by targeting two safe areas in Damascus province, namely the Dimas area and the area of Damascus International Airport," said Syrian state television, adding that no casualties were reported. Eyewitnesses stated that they saw up to four IAF aircraft in the area.

The Syrian army confirmed facilities were damaged later Sunday, and said the strikes proved Israeli involvement in the Syrian Civil War.

"This direct aggression by Israel was carried out to help the terrorists in Syria, after our armed forces secured important victories in Deir Ezzor, Aleppo and elsewhere," the army said.

"This proves Israel's direct support for terrorism in Syria," it added.

One of the sites targeted appears to have been the Dimas airbase - which was the target of another airstrike just over a year ago. Syrian state TV claimed at the timethe site was storing Russian-made S-300 surface-to-air missiles.